Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Top 5 Laundry Tips For Homeowners (Or Practically Everyone)

Most homeowners prefer to take their laundry to local laundromats, especially those who are too busy to wash their clothes at home. Nonetheless the trip to the laundromats, even though convenient, can cost a lot of money. That’s why some still choose to do their laundry at home. Though washing clothes at home can add up to your monthly bills, there are cost-efficient ways to save energy, water, and time.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

One of the most helpful ways to save energy and water is to use cold water instead of hot water, which takes up more energy, thus increasing your electricity and water bills. For dirty clothes, a 30°C cycle is enough. Additionally, washing clothes in cold water can actually make them last longer.

Always Do Full Loads

When doing the laundry, it’s not practical to wash a few pieces of clothes in one go. Always do full loads to save water and energy. Doing full loads can save you 3,400 gallons of water each year; it also saves time because you don’t have to do your laundry every day. Pile up your used clothes for one week and wash them on weekends.

Skip Drying Your Clothes

Though most washing machines come with a dryer, it’s not always necessary to use it. Apparently, using the dryer is neither energy-efficient nor cost-efficient. It’s better to just dry your clothes outside the house. After all, the scorching heat of the sun can easily get things done.

However, if you’re in a rush and you don’t have any space to hang your clothes outside the house, you may use the washing machine’s high-speed spin cycle. That way, your clothes will be almost dry when they come out of the machine.

Save Money On Laundry Supplies

Using a reasonable amount of laundry detergent is enough to clean your clothes. This will help you save money on buying more detergents.

What’s more, not all laundry supplies are necessary. You can skip using fabric conditioners because the detergent itself is enough to soften your clothes and make them smell good.

Lastly, Choose An Energy-Efficient Washing Machine

If your washing machine is more than 10 years old, it’s most likely to make your energy bills dramatically increase. That’s why you have to buy a new washing machine and make sure it’s energy-efficient; choose a machine with the EC-AG label.

Additionally, modern machines also provide energy-efficient options such as built-in sensors to prevent over-drying as well as weight sensors to ensure accurate full load weight and determine appropriate levels of heat and water.